What is the difference between washed and unwashed coffee?

If you already enjoy specialty coffee, you’ll know that flavour starts long before the beans reach the roastery. As pioneers of specialty coffee in the UK since 2006, Small Batch Coffee Roasters have always focused on transparency, quality and flavour at every stage of the journey. One of the biggest influences on taste is how the coffee is processed after harvest, most commonly washed or unwashed (often called natural). Both methods can produce exceptional coffee when done well, and at Small Batch Coffee Roasters we work exclusively with specialty-grade beans so quality is never compromised.

What is washed coffee?

Washed coffee, sometimes referred to as wet-processed coffee, is one of the most widely used processing methods in specialty coffee. In this method, the coffee cherry is removed from the bean shortly after harvest, before the coffee is dried.

The cherries are pulped, fermented in water and then thoroughly washed, leaving the coffee seed to dry on its own. This approach is known for producing coffees with excellent clarity, balanced acidity and a flavour profile that clearly reflects their origin.

Because of this clean profile, washed coffees are particularly well suited to single origins where you want to taste the nuances of place, think bright acidity, defined sweetness and a transparent flavour structure. Our Papua New Guinea Paradise Mountain is a great example: washed processing allows its delicate citrus notes and gentle sweetness to shine, especially when brewed on filter.

For washed coffees, we recommend brewing methods like the V60 or AeroPress, which accentuate clarity and complexity. Even our Colombian Decaf benefits from washed processing, helping retain flavour and structure while delivering a smooth, refined cup without the caffeine.

What is unwashed coffee?

Unwashed coffees are dried with the fruit still intact around the bean. As the cherry dries, sugars and flavours from the fruit are absorbed into the coffee. The result is typically a heavier body with richer, bolder and sometimes fruit-forward flavours.

This style works beautifully for espresso, where depth and sweetness really come into their own. Our Throwback Espresso showcases what well-handled unwashed coffee can do. Expect classic, comforting tasting notes of chocolate, caramel and dried fruit, a syrupy body and a lingering sweetness that works beautifully as espresso or with milk.

Washed vs unwashed coffee: which is better?

Neither is inherently better, it comes down to taste and roasting quality. When beans are specialty grade and roasted fresh in small batches, as all of ours are, both washed and unwashed coffees can taste outstanding. Washed coffees offer precision and clarity; unwashed coffees deliver richness and comfort.

The best way to understand the difference between washed and unwashed coffee is to try both, and let your palate decide. With Small Batch’s freshly roasted, specialty-grade coffees, you can explore each processing style at its best. New to specialty coffee? Try our Discovery Kits to expand your palette and master flavour profiling.